title: Evaluation of biomechanical properties of anterior atlantoaxial transarticular locking plate system using three-dimensional finite element analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a new anterior atlantoaxial transarticular locking plate system using finite element analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thin-section spiral computed tomography was performed from occiput to C2 region. A finite element model of an unstable atlantoaxial joint, treated with an anterior atlantoaxial transarticular locking plate system, was compared with the simple anterior atlantoaxial transarticular screw system. Flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation were imposed on the model. Displacement of the atlantoaxial transarticular screw and stress at the screw-bone interface were observed for the two internal fixation systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Screw displacement was less using the anterior atlantoaxial transarticular locking plate system compared to simple anterior atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation under various conditions, and stability increased especially during flexion and extension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anterior atlantoaxial transarticular locking plate system not only provided stronger fixation, but also decreased screw-bearing stress and screw-bone interface stress compared to simple anterior atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, 627 Wuluo Road, Wuhan, 430070, China, xianhua_cai@126.com.
authors.forename: Xian-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Zhi-chao
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Mei-chao
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wei-bing
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D004867:Equipment Design; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008422:Materials Testing; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011187:Posture; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000295:instrumentation; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology